Vermont's Planned Rx Database Raises Fresh Privacy Concerns

Ken Rankin

Published Online: Thursday, December 1, 2005

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Privacy advocates in Vermont are
fretting over a controversial plan to
create a massive electronic database to
track prescription drug use among the
state's residents. Legislation expected
to be introduced in the state senate
early in 2006 would enable Vermont
law enforcement officials to electronically
track prescription holders who
may be using drugs illegally. It may
also make it easier to identify pharmacists
or doctors engaged in inappropriate
dispensing or prescribing
activities.

In addition to officials at the Vermont
Department of Public Health,
physicians and pharmacists would
have access to the proposed new Rx
database, supporters of the bill said.